Community Access

Can I provide input on spending?

• 50% state share: Yes (required). Pursuant to the Michigan Open Meetings Act and according to its bylaws, the Opioid Advisory Commission (OAC) is required to include the opportunity for public comment in its meetings,[1] which must take place at least quarterly but in practice occurred about every other monthin 2024-2025.[2]

  • Community Impact Survey. The OAC has also issued a survey intended to “include community voices — especially individuals and families who have been directly impacted — in conversations around planning and use of state opioid settlement funds.”[3]

  • Virtual listening sessions and regional events. The OAC links to past virtual listening sessions and regional events on its (under “Community Voices”).[4] Keep an eye out for future programming,[5] and subscribe to OAC meeting notifications by emailing this address: .[6] You can also contact the OAC directly by emailing .

  • “Feedback or questions.” The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ (MDHHS) has an , which instructs that stories, feedback, suggestions, and questions may be submitted to .”[8]

  The include dedicated public comment periods as well.[9] The task force is subject to the and must hold at least four public meetings per year.[10] It is also required to “promote stakeholder participation,”[11] and its activities may include engaging in “outreach to ensure all stakeholders in impacted areas are informed, educated, and empowered.”[12]

• 50% local share: Generally, yes. Though local governments are not required to seek public input as to opioid settlement spending specifically, Michigan’s requires public bodies to accept public comment at their meetings.[13] Each locality may choose to seek public input beyond this requirement. For example, Berrien County’s provides that its “[c]ommunity members are encouraged to reach out with questions, concerns or feedback regarding opioid settlements or the Opioid Settlement Taskforce.”[15] Watch for other opportunities to weigh in on city and county spending decisions, such as city council meetings and town halls.

Yes. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has established settlement-funded grant opportunities for which community organizations are eligible to apply. Visit its page to view current funding opportunities. Local governments also may create grant programs to distribute their share of funds. The existence, parameters, and processes for local settlement grant programs will vary by locality, so stay alert for new opportunities. Visit the (OpioidSettlementTracker.com and Legal Action Center) for the most up-to-date information on settlement grant opportunities for community organizations.

• For updates on the state share, visit the OAC’s , the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ (MDHHS) page, and the Michigan Opioids Task Force’s . You can also subscribe to OAC meeting notifications by emailing and sign up for updates from MDHHS’ Opioid Task Force .

• For updates on the local share, visit the Michigan Association of Counties’ and the Michigan Attorney General’s website, which contains an section describing certain localities’ uses of funds.[16] Another way to find updates on the local share is to check the websites for your county commission, city council, or local health department (e.g., , , ).

Not applicable.

1. Bylaws, . Michigan Opioid Advisory Commission. Adopted August 31, 2022 (“Pursuant to Michigan’s Open Meetings Act, individuals may express their opinions on Commission matters. … For a Commission agenda item, the Commission will ask if any member of the public wishes to make a comment before the Commission. … Comments shall pertain to a topic or topics which might normally come before the Commission”). See also Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Secs. 4.1851(10) ("The opioid advisory commission shall conduct its business in compliance with the open meetings act, 1976 PA 267, MCL 15.261 to 15.275”); and 15.263(5) (“A person must be permitted to address a meeting of a public body under rules established and recorded by the public body”). For background on the requirements of the Michigan Open Meeting Act, consult this . ↑

2. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. Secs. 4.1851(8) (“The Opioid Advisory Commission shall meet at least quarterly”). Opioid Advisory Commission (“”). Michigan Legislative Council website. Accessed June 9 2026. ↑